Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Consumer Federation of America records document the association's development from 1967 to 2017 through testimonies, newsletters, reports, statements, correspondence, press releases, pamphlets, policy resolutions, and audiotapes. The collection contains minutes from the CFA board of directors meetings, CFA policy resolutions and CFA's annual reports (1980–2016). Other reports, statements, and surveys provide coverage of issues investigated, policies advanced, and materials developed to educate the public and media. Areas addressed include consumer safety, financial advancement and protection, consumer knowledge, post-9/11 terrorism insurance and safety, product safety in general and specifically product safety in children's products and automobiles

Of special interest is correspondence documenting interactions with prominent political figures including Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and Bob Dole. Also noteworthy are pamphlets from the association’s annual Consumer Assembly (1980–2015) and pamphlets developed for the CFA project America Saves. A set of audiotapes (2000-2003) offer insight into CFA conferences that tackled issues including food safety, obesity, and bioterrorism. Reports document court cases and petitions. The collection contains the association's voting records (1971–2008).

CFANews and Consumer Federation of America annual reports are available online. See Series 8 for online access to annual reports and series 9 for online access to CFANews. Series 12 provides access to CFA's website from 2007-2017.

Biographical Note

As described on their website, "The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is an association of non-profit consumer organizations that was established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through the research, advocacy, and education." As of 2015, over 300 consumer groups belong to the federation and participate in its governance. Executive Director Stephen Brobeck selected the Consumer Movement Archives as the repository for the association’s records in 2015. For a comprehensive history of CFA, see Watchdogs and Whistleblowers: A Reference Guide to Consumer Activism, Robert N. Mayer and Stephen Brobeck, 2015.